PURPOSE: To investigate the regulatory role of nerve injury-induced protein 1 (NINJ1) in the anti-inflammatory function of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) co-stimulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: hUC-MSCs were expanded in vitro using standard protocols, with stem cell characteristics confirmed by flow cytometry and multilineage differentiation assays. The immunomodulatory properties and cellular activity of cytokine-co-pretreated hUC-MSCs were systematically evaluated via quantitative reverse transcription RT-qPCR, lymphocyte proliferation suppression assays, and Cell Counting Kit-8 viability tests. Transcriptome sequencing, Western blotting and small interfering RNA interference were integrated to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of NINJ1 expression. Functional roles of NINJ1 in pretreated hUC-MSCs were elucidated through gene silencing combined with lactate dehydrogenase release assays, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide apoptosis analysis, macrophage co-culture models, and cytokine Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Therapeutic efficacy was validated in a cecal ligation and puncture-induced septic mouse model: 80 mice were randomly allocated into 4 experimental groups (n=20/group): sham group (laparotomy without cecal ligation); phosphate-buffered saline-treated group (cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + 0.1 mL phosphate-buffered saline); hUC-MSCs (small interfering RNA (siRNA)-interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha co-stimulation (IT))-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs transfected with scrambled siRNA); and hUC-MSCs (siNINJ1-IT)-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs with NINJ1-targeting siRNA). RESULTS: hUC-MSCs demonstrated compliance with International Society for Cellular Therapy criteria, confirming their stem cell identity. IFN-γ/TNF-α co-pretreatment enhanced the immunosuppressive capacity of hUC-MSCs, accompanied by the reduction of cellular viability, while concurrently upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β. This co-stimulation significantly elevated NINJ1 expression in hUC-MSCs, whereas genetic silencing of NINJ1 effectively suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and attenuated damage-associated molecular patterns release through inhibition of programmed plasma membrane rupture. Furthermore, the NINJ1 interference potentiated the ability of cytokine-pretreated hUC-MSCs to suppress LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages. In cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model, NINJ1-silenced hUC-MSCs exhibited enhanced therapeutic efficacy, manifested by reduced systemic inflammation and multi-organ damage. CONCLUSION Our findings shed new light on the immunomodulatory functions of cytokine-primed MSCs, offering groundbreaking insights for developing MSC-based therapies against inflammatory diseases via interfering the expression of NINJ1.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Animals ; Interferon-gamma/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Mice ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis ; Male

OBJECTIVE To investigate the regulatory effects of couplet medicinals of Atractylodes macrocephala-Aucklandia lappa on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） in the diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） rats with spleen deficiency. METHODS The IBS-D rat model with spleen deficiency was induced by intragastric administration of Senna alexandrina combined with restraint stimulation. The model rats were divided into model group， positive control group （pinaverium bromide 1.5 mg/kg）， A. macrocephala-A. lappa low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.7， 1.4， 2.8 g/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 healthy rats were taken as the blank control group. The blank control group and the model group were given normal saline intragastrically， and other groups were given relevant drug liquid intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 14 days. The general characteristics of rats and fecal water content were observed， and intestinal sensitivity [evaluating by abdominal wall withdrawal reflex （AWR） threshold] and the intestinal propulsion rate were determined. The serum levels of 5- hydroxytryptamine（5-HT）and SP were detected， and the pathological changes of colon tissue were observed； the protein expressions of 5-HT-3 receptor（5-HT3R）， 5-HT4R and 5-HT transporter（SERT） in colon tissue of rats were detected. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for the feces of rats in blank control group， model group and A. macrocephala-A. lappa high-dose group； the contents of acetic acid， propionic acid and butyric acid in the feces of the rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the body weight after 7 and 14 days of medication， fecal water content， AWR threshold， and the protein expressions of 5-HT4R and SERT in colon tissue were increased significantly in the A. macrocephala-A. lappa medium-dose and high-dose groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； serum contents of 5-HT and SP， intestinal propulsion rate （except for A. macrocephala-A. lappa medium-dose group）， the protein expression of 5-HT3R in colon tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.01）； diarrhea relief， mental state recovery， and partially recovery of the structure of colon tissue were all found； moreover， the diversity and species number of gut microbiota were reduced in A. macrocephala-A. lappa high-dose group and the content of butyric acid in fecal samples was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The compatibility of A. macrocephala and A. lappa can improve intestinal motility and sensitivity of IBS-D model rats with spleen deficiency， and alleviate diarrhea. This may be related to improving changes in intestinal microbiota structure， reducing 5-HT expression and butyric acid content， and increasing 5-HT4R and SERT expression.

Objective:To explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of nocturnal hypertension in patients with hypertension.Methods:Totally 341 hospitalized hypertensive patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from February to May 2023 were selected by convenience sampling. Patients' general information, clinical data, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure results were collected. A binomial Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in these patients. The relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was examined using threshold effect tests and smooth curve fitting.Results:The binomial Logistic regression analysis indicated that blood phosphate level was a factor influencing the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in hypertensive patients ( P<0.05). Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect test results showed that the relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was curve-correlated, with a turning point at 24.61 kg/m 2. To the left of the turning point, there was no correlation ( P=0.130) ; to the right, there was a correlation ( P=0.016) . Conclusions:When the BMI of hypertensive patients exceeds 24.61 kg/m 2, the likelihood of nocturnal hypertension increases with rising BMI, providing a precise intervention target for weight management-based patient care in hypertension.

【Objective】 To study the effects of platelets donation frequency on iron, copper, zinc content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in plasma of blood donors. 【Methods】 128 apheresis platelet donors from August 25, 2020 to August 25, 2021 in our center were divided into 4 groups according to the frequency of platelet donation: first-time donors(n=30) were enrolled as group 1, and donors with 2 to 7 donations(n=23), 8 to 14 donations(n=29), 15 to 24 donations(n=46) within the previous period were group 2, group 3 and group 4. All these donors were males, with the average age of 42 ± 8.3, and had not donated whole blood in the past two years. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was used to detect the content of copper, iron and zinc in plasma of different groups of platelet donors. The SOD activity was detected by WST colorimetric kit. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. 【Results】 Significant differences in the content of iron and copper, but no in zinc, were noticed in donors of different groups(P<0.05). Multiple comparison showed that first-time blood donors presented significantly higher iron content but significantly lower copper content than those of donors with 15 to 24 blood donations per year(P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in iron and copper content among other groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in zinc content between every two groups(P>0.05). The SOD inhibition rate of blood donors in different groups was not significantly different. 【Conclusion】 The content of plasma iron, copper, and zinc and the SOD activity were not significantly affected if platelet donations were less than 15 times within a year. For those donated platelets more than 15 times within a year, the content of iron was found to decrease and copper to increase. It is suggested that platelet donations more than 15 times is correlated with the content of iron and copper in plasma of blood donors. Therefore, the proportion of iron-rich food should be appropriately increased in the daily diet for high-frequency(≥15 times per year) apheresis platelet donors after blood donation.

Objective:To synthesize 177Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 with domestic 177Lu (made in China), and explore its optimal labeling condition, biodistribution, stability, and safety. Methods:177Lu-PSMA-617 was prepared with domestic 177Lu by a manual method. The optimal labeling condition, radiochemical purity, stability ( in vivo and in vitro), lipid-water partition coefficient, and plasma protein binding rate were determined. The uptake rate of 177Lu-PSMA-617 was evaluated by using 22RV1 cells. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT imaging were performed on normal mice with imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 as control group. The blood routine test was performed to evaluate the safety. Results:The best labeling result of domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 can be obtained under the following conditions: pH=4.5, 100 ℃ for 30 min. And the radiochemical purity was ≥99%. The product was stable in vivo and in vitro, with the radiochemical purity >95% in 72 h. The plasma protein binding rate was (35.3±5.3)%, the lipid-water partition coefficient was -2.27±0.06, and the specific uptake rate of domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 by 22RV1 cells reached the highest in 1 h ((7.58±0.84)%), which was slightly lower than the imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 ((7.86±0.96)%), but there was no significant difference between them ( t=-0.439, P>0.05). The distribution and SPECT/CT imaging of normal mice showed that domestic and imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 in blood were cleared quite fast, and both of them were excreted mainly through the kidneys. No obvious adverse reactions were found in the toxicity test of domestic and imported 177Lu-PSMA-617. There was no obvious abnormality in blood routine and liver and kidney metabolism. Conclusion:The domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 has many advantages, such as qualified quality control, good biological properties and safety, which support its potential application value in diagnosis of prostatic neoplasms.

Objective    To investigate the characteristics and prognostic value of cellular immune function in severe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods    A cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 119 severe patients admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) including 60 males (50.4%) and 59 females (49.6%), with an average age of 60.9±14.2 years. The primary endpoint of follow-up was death in the hospital, and the disease outcome classification was the secondary endpoint of follow-up within 30 days after admission. We analyzed the correlation between cellular immune function and COVID-19 prognosis. Results     A total of 22 patients died during this process, and 47 patients were severe/critical during the follow-up period. The counts of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ in the primary endpoint events were significantly different between the survival group and the death group (all P<0.05). The counts of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ in the secondary endpoint events were significantly different between the normal group and the severe/critical group (all P<0.05). The results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under the cellular immune function curve of dead patients and severe/critical patients had good predictive value (all P<0.05). Conclusion    Cell immune function has good clinical and prognostic value for COVID-19.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of the Mulliken's method in bilateral complete cleft lip patients with 3dMD system and anthropometric landmarks.Methods Thirty-one infants with bilateral complete cleft lip received treatment in Hospital of Stomatology,Wuhan University between January 2014 and December 2016.Patients underwent primary cheiloplasty and nasoplasty by the same senior surgeon.Periodic review was taken to measure and record the 7 items in the nasolabial area with three-dimensional (3D) images.Results The labial and nasal deformities were restored after primary surgery.The upper lip and nose were corrected and obtained the symmetric shape.The columella was elongated to acquire favorable nasal tip.The arc of nasal fornix was upward.The ridge of the white lipwas continuous and integrated with full vermilion tubercle.Total length of upper lip (Sn-Sto),thickness of the vermilion tubercle (Ls-Sto),protrusion of the nasal tip (Nh) and columellar height (Ch) were markedly improved and there were no significant difference between the observation group and the control group.The significant differences between two groups occurred in values of the nostril width (Nw),which was greater than control group and white lip height (Sn-Ls) and lower than that of control group.Conclusions Mulliken's method during the primary cheiloplasty of the bilateral complete cleft lip shows better results in correction the nasal deformity and the ideal effects are achieved during follow-up.

Objective: To report the clinical features of anti-MDA5 antibody positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) complicated with severe interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: The clinical data of three patients, who was admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Children's Hospital of the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from September 2016 to July 2017, with anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody positive JDM complicated with ILD were retrospectively extracted and analyzed. Meanwhile, PubMed database, CNKI, Wanfang database and China Biology Medicine disc (from their establishment to February 2019) with the key words "juvenile dermatomyositis" "interstitial lung disease" , and "anti-MAD5 antibody" both in English and Chinese were searched. Results: There were 2 females and 1 male (P1-P3), aged from 10 years 3 months to13 years 4 months, the time from onset to diagnosis were 2 months, 4 months and 10 months. All presented with rash. One of them had decreased muscle strength, and two had decreased activity tolerance. Creatine kinase was 588, 915 and 74 U/L, and serum ferritin were 1 792, >2 000 and 195.4 μg/L. All three patients had positive anti-MDA5 antibodies. At the time of diagnosis, all of them had ILD, pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema, but had no respiratory symptoms. All three patients received oral methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, while human immunoglobulin was given only to P1 and P2. P1 developed rapid progressive pulmonary interstitial disease (RPILD) and died of respiratory failure after 2 months. While P2 and P3 were followed up for 1 to 2 years, who had complete remission, as anti-MDA5 antibody turned to negative and ILD improved significantly. Ten related reports in literature were retrieved, without reported Chinese cases, and most cases initiated with rash and very likely complicated with arthritis. Some of them were more likely to have ILD rather than muscle weakness. It also showed that Japanese JDM children had higher rate of positive anti-MDA5 antibody than patients from the U.S. and U.K., and are more susceptible to ILD and RPILD. The mortality rate of patients with RPILD is extremely high. Conclusions The cases of JDM with positive anti-MDA5 antibody mainly presented with rash and mild muscle weakness, and could be complicated with ILD, pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema without respiratory symptoms at early stage. Anti-MDA5 antibody titer is related to disease activity and can turn to negative after treatment.

In recent years, for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion, intravascular mechanical thrombectomy has become the most recommended treatment method. Determining whether there is ischemic penumbra or not is very important for the selection of patients who are suitable for endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. In addition, the ischemic penumbra also provides guidance for extending the time window of traditional intravenous thrombolytic therapy. This article reviews the imaging evaluation methods of ischemic penumbra.

Objective: To explore the application of septoplasty and cheiloplasty in complete unilateral cleft lip repairment, and evaluate the effect on nasal shape correction. Methods: Twenty-four infants with complete unilateral cleft lip were divided into two groups: the correction group and the control group. Both groups underwent cheiloplasty by Mohler′s technique, septoplasty was performed in the correction group during the primary cheiloplasty. Six-month follow-up was taken to evaluate the nasal shape with the three dimensional images. Independent-samples t Test was performed using SPSS 21.0, to compare the nasal morphology between two groups. Results: All patients healed in the first stage, and were followed for 6 months after operations. There were no complication, including nasal septum perforation, occurred in either group.There were statistically significant differences in nasal parameters between the correction group and controls (P<0.05). The columellar width, nostril width on the affected side, and columella deviation of the correction group were smaller, than those of controls. The nose tip height, columellar height and nostril height on the affected side of the correction group were greater than those of the control group. Conclusions Septoplasty associated with the primary cheiloplasty in complete unilateral cleft lip repairment, shows better results in the elongation of the nasal columella, and the correction of septum deviation, and provides a stable nasal structure.